FBA Maryland Chapter History

The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter was originally chartered as the Baltimore Chapter on September 16, 1952. At that time, the Chapter’s geographic jurisdiction included the State of Maryland, excluding Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. For over three decades, the Baltimore Chapter played a key role in advancing federal legal practice, offering educational programming and creating a forum for collaboration between the bench and bar.

Recognizing the need for a more unified statewide presence, the Chapter formally petitioned the Federal Bar Association to change its name to the Maryland Chapter. This change was approved on February 10, 1987, officially expanding its geographic boundaries to encompass the entire State of Maryland. The rebranding marked a significant milestone in the Chapter’s evolution—one that reflected its growing membership, expanding impact, and commitment to serving all federal practitioners throughout Maryland. Today, the Maryland Chapter proudly continues its tradition of fostering excellence in federal practice and strengthening the legal community it represents.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Maryland Chapter of the FBA is to advance the administration of justice and improve the delivery of legal services in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland by:

  1.  offering substantive programming;

  2.  serving as an inclusive, equitable, and diverse forum for lawyers to discuss and address issues affecting our community;

  3.  facilitating engagement between the bench and the bar;

  4.  empowering lawyers to transition to federal practice; and

  5.  growing the next generation of leaders for our legal community.

The mission of the Chapter is to advance the science of jurisprudence and to promote the welfare, interests, education, and professional growth and development of the members of the Federal legal profession.

Vision Statement

The Vision of the Maryland Chapter of the FBA is to be an essential resource and forum for lawyers practicing before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, where they can hone their skills, participate in important conversations among stakeholders, and become leaders within the legal community.